Fantasy Premier League

Giroud pushes for Gameweek 13 start

By The Scout 24 Nov 2016
Olivier Giroud, Arsenal, UEFA Champions League

Frenchman extends scoring streak as FPL big-hitters Sanchez and Aguero misfire

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Olivier Giroud (£8.8m) strengthened his case for leading the Arsenal attack at home to AFC Bournemouth in Gameweek 13 by scoring in the UEFA Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain.

After emerging from the bench to grab a leveller at Manchester United in Gameweek 12, Giroud was handed a starting role by Arsene Wenger as Alexis Sanchez (£11.3m) shifted to the right.

The Frenchman's penalty took him to five goals in as many matches in all competitions.

Giroud's form, allied with Sanchez's move wide, places uncertainty over the Chilean's credentials as an FPL captain for the weekend.

Sitting in 22% of Fantasy Premier League squads, Sanchez has scored just one goal in six Premier League appearances at Emirates Stadium in 2016/17.

Theo Walcott's (£7.8m) remaining 12.3% owners will be hoping he earns a weekend recall.

Post-match, Wenger revealed the winger was restricted to a cameo role from the bench due to a minor toe problem.

Although Arsenal have qualified for the knockout stages, last night's 2-2 draw dropped them to second in their group.

Theio Walcott, Arsenal, Champions League
Theo Walcott started on the bench against PSG having suffered a minor toe injury

Arsenal must defeat Basel and hope PSG fail to beat Ludogorets Razgrad in their final group fixtures on 6 December, suggesting Wenger could yet name a near full-strength side in Switzerland.

Sergio Aguero (£13.2m) suffered another night of frustration as Manchester City drew with Borussia Monchengladbach.

The Argentinian has found in only three of City's last 11 matches in all competitions.

Found in 46.3% of FPL squads, Aguero remains the most popular forward in the game ahead of Saturday's early kick-off at a Burnley side, who have conceded just six goals in seven home matches.

Sergio Aguero, UEFA Champions League
Sergio Aguero has contributed three goals in Man City's last 11 matches

After being omitted from the first XI to face Crystal Palace in Gameweek 12, Ilkay Gundogan (£5.8m) and David Silva (£8.7m) returned to the starting line-up, with the latter grabbing a second-half equaliser to clinch City’s place in the knockout stage.

It was no surprise to see Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m) assist Silva's strike. The Belgian teed up Yaya Toure's (£7.6m) winner at Selhurst Park on Saturday and has nine FPL assists this season, at least three more than any other player.

Guardiola's decision to begin with a 3-5-1-1 formation, therefore starting four central midfielders, boosts Toure's chances of returning to the first XI at Turf Moor.

Yaya Toure, Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City
Yaya Toure looks set to start at Burnley having sat out Wednesday's tie

Toure is not in City's Champions League squad for the group stages, but scored twice on his first appearance of the season in Gameweek 12.

With Man City guaranteed runners-up to Barcelona in the group, Guardiola has the luxury of rotating his side for the final group match on 6 December.

The home match with Celtic falls between Gameweeks 14 and 15, when City host Chelsea before heading to Leicester City.

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